SPOKANE, Wash. — After much love and wear, the historic white willow tree in the John A. Finch Arboretum is going to be removed.
Earlier this spring, City of Spokane Parks & Recreation staff noticed a large crack in the tree. That crack grew, eventually bringing down one of the low hanging branches that kids have been playing on for years. A fence was put up around the beloved tree for safety purposes shortly after.
To further ensure the safety of those who frequent the Finch Arboretum, the city is planning to remove the willow tree.
According to Josh Morrisey, marketing coordinator for Spokane Parks and Recreation, a combination of age, species, and structural issues like double trunks and decay is what caused the crack.
"Willow trees are known to be short-lived, so it is not uncommon for them to start to decline at that age," Morrisey said.
The tree was planted in 1947 by May Jinitti. Jinitti used a branch from a willow tree she collected in Idaho to plant the tree while she lived in the World War II barracks built on the lands by the government. Those barracks would eventually be turned into the Arboretum as we know it.
The city has not set a date for when the tree will be taken down yet.
The city is looking for creative ways to reuse the wood, and they are hoping for public feedback.
Morrisey says they are waiting to receive that feedback via survey to schedule. The city plans to open the survey this week for public feedback.